Neuroscience + Art

While art and neuroscience may appear to be distinct disciplines, they share a deep-rooted connection that emerges from their common pursuit of understanding the human experience. 

The Art and Mindflow of Neuroscience https://www.meer.com/en/65421-the-art-of-mind-flow-and-neuroscience

Victoria Vesna's project "Octopus Brainstorming" is a testament to the entanglement of humans and animals. In this project, Vesna explores the intricate connections between the human brain and the octopus, two vastly different organisms that find common ground in the depths of their neural networks (Albu, 2017). This work serves as a testament to the idea that art can provide a visual language to understand the complexities of neuroscience and the interconnectedness of all living beings.

     Octopus Brainstorming https://victoriavesna.com/index.php?p=projects&item=3

Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner, in his seminal work "Art, Mind, and Brain," argues that art possesses a unique power to engage and activate multiple cognitive processes, stimulating our perceptual systems, emotions, and even our moral sensibilities (Gardner, 1982). Through the study of the brain, neuroscientists have discovered that artistic experiences can elicit heightened neural responses in areas associated with perception, emotion, and reward. This is emphasized in the "Brainbow" presented in Lecture Part 1 and the Ted Talk by deCharms which utilizes real-time brain imaging to reveal the neural mechanisms underlying pain and offers insights into the potential therapeutic applications of art (Vesna Week 7 Lecture Part 1). 

Brainbow, the Next Generation https://www.cell.com/pictureshow/brainbow-2021

Similarly, Bateson's exploration of cybernetics and systems theory provides a framework for comprehending the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and environment (Bateson, 1988). Moreover, Francisco Varela's book, "The Embodied Mind," emphasizes the role of embodiment in shaping our experiences and understanding of the world. By incorporating the principles of cybernetics into artistic endeavors, creators can tap into the complex web of interactions that shape our perception and cognition. Neuroscience and art have a symbiotic relationship, illuminating the beauty and complexity of the human mind and experience.

Works Cited

Albu, C. (n.d.). Planetary Re-Enchantment: Human-Animal Entanglements in Victoria Vesna’s Octopus Brainstorming. CMA Journal - Simon Fraser University. https://www.sfu.ca/cmajournal/issues/issue-ten--enchantment--disenchantment--reenchantment/cristina-albu.html?fbclid=IwAR1twyrqbeKqNrJSUXSihLVGvX_D9ARndxDv3USnw2pTENE_iXHJtIo8v54

Bateson, Gregory. Mind and Nature: A Necessary Unity. United Kingdom, Bantam Books, 1988.

deCharms, Christopher. “A Look inside the Brain in Real Time.” Christopher deCharms: A Look inside the Brain in Real Time | TED Talk, www.ted.com/talks/christopher_decharms_a_look_inside_the_brain_in_real_time?language=en. Accessed 16 May 2023.

Gardner, H. (1982). Art, mind, and brain. Basic Books.

Varela, Francisco J., et al. The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience. United States, MIT Press, 1992.

Vesna, Victoria. Neuroscience+Art Week 7 Lecture Part 1, 2023.